# Ataxia freaking sucks **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [February 11, 2013, 9:10am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/ataxia-freaking-sucks/1412 "2013-02-11T09:10:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marie\_T1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/marie_t1/32/355_2.png) [@Marie\_T1](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Marie_T1)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 10:39am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/ataxia-freaking-sucks/1412/21 "2013-02-12T10:39:27Z")
You can get a good card from Ataxia UK to say our condition means we look drunk but aren't.I carry mine around with me but haven't had to use it yet. ---
**Author:** ![Kat](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/kat/32/965_2.png) [@Kat](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Kat)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 11:37am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/ataxia-freaking-sucks/1412/22 "2013-02-12T11:37:21Z")
I don't suggest doing this but....... One day, I had had "enough" of this one person watching me like I was some sort of freak and about to fall down drunk, so I just walked up to them and said " I know I look bad, but I'm not drunk, my brain is dying"... Pretty much got a look of total shock, then I walked off laughing my head off silently to myself. I don't mind flat out telling people I have ataxia. I don't mind using my cane or walker whenever I need it. I watched my dad be all proud and chit and refusing to stop driving ... I am not going to do that or be that way. I personally don't like falling, and I never know when I will so if I leave the yard, I have either a cane or walker with me. I'm getting older ( I'm 46) and personally? I don't want a broke hip or arm or hand, or a busted open head.. If people want to look at me funny, or with "pity"... so what !?! They are the ones with that problem, not me! ---
**Author:** ![Lori1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/lori1/32/779_2.png) [@Lori1](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Lori1)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 3:41pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/ataxia-freaking-sucks/1412/23 "2013-02-12T15:41:19Z")
Yes this does suck! Last night I had to go to the High School for orientation for my son. I didnt bring a cane so I was wobbling all over.(my fault) I was in the hallway with hundreds of people. (Bad news)lol. The principle of the new school was looking at me funny. (Everyone knows the look) I walked up to the principle and told him to look up the word ataxia. And then I want an apology! Looking drunk has really brought me some bad things. So it is very hard for me to be positive. Something to work on! ---
**Author:** ![Cody\_Shearin](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/cody_shearin/32/998_2.png) [@Cody\_Shearin](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Cody_Shearin)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/ataxia-freaking-sucks/1412/24 "2013-02-12T19:53:59Z")
Is there like a necklace for ataxia if there’s not there should be. And I don’t live in uk so I can’t get an ataxia card. ---
**Author:** ![Lori1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/lori1/32/779_2.png) [@Lori1](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Lori1)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/ataxia-freaking-sucks/1412/25 "2013-02-12T20:24:23Z")
I have a letter from my doctor about the ataxia. That I carry with me. Or we have that medic jewelery that we can order. ---
**Author:** ![rose1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/rose1/32/736_2.png) [@rose1](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/rose1)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 10:39pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/ataxia-freaking-sucks/1412/26 "2013-02-12T22:39:15Z")
Have your neurologist write on the back of one of his/her cards that you have ataxia and your symptoms. I don't live in the UK either, but that's what I carry in my wallet. In terms of using a cane, I don't care what anyone thinks, as I'd rather be safe than sorry when I'm out and about! Although when I'm home I don't use it, and I hairline fractured my pelvis when I fell in my kitchen in November. I also fell in my family room in January and hit my noggin on the corner of the wall. I sported quite a bump on the back of my head for a few weeks! Anyway, I've been extra, extra careful these days! People I don't know have been very kind holding doors open for me when I'm out. I even had a man (who was talking on his cell) ask if he could open my car door for me, as I hand my cane in my right hand and a package in my left. I appreciated his help! ;o) ---
**Author:** ![Julie\_in\_Colorado](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/julie_in_colorado/32/526_2.png) [@Julie\_in\_Colorado](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Julie_in_Colorado)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 10:58pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/ataxia-freaking-sucks/1412/27 "2013-02-12T22:58:17Z")
Rose, I’m curious why you don’t use your cane at home? I’ve found it helps with. My fatigue level as well as tipping over(falling). I was really surprised how much it helped with my fatigue levels. ---
**Author:** ![rose1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/rose1/32/736_2.png) [@rose1](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/rose1)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 1:59am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/ataxia-freaking-sucks/1412/28 "2013-02-13T01:59:39Z")
Yes Julie, I should! I started using it when I leave home a couple years ago, as I fell and really injured my back. Since I started using it, I haven't fallen again when I'm out and about. Not so much at home though, as I've had my share of falls. You'd think I would have started using it in my home by now, especially after I hairline fractured my pelvis...,duh!!! That's good to know that it helps with fatigue! ;o) ---
**Author:** ![Lorraine\_L](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/lorraine_l/32/272_2.png) [@Lorraine\_L](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Lorraine_L)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/ataxia-freaking-sucks/1412/29 "2013-02-18T19:55:38Z")
yes i agree it s\_\_\_s! i was diagnosed with hereditary cerebella ataxia type 2. i have been accused of being high or tipsy and it hurts. focus on keeping yourself as flexible as you can. as the body gets older it gets stiffer. i would suggest water therapy. the heck with them non ataxics, focus on yourself. if yoou ever need to vent, i'm here and so are a lot of us. lorraine [Previous page](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/ataxia-freaking-sucks/1412.md?page=1)